I have had dark times in my life where I have questioned my importance, my worth and the path I’ve been on. Recently, I’ve had moments where I’ve questioned more lighthearted things like why my house always seems so disorganized or why my kids are so crazy sometimes. In both cases, the dark times and the lighthearted times, I have said to myself – seriously, is this my life?
My pastor (at Eastlake Community Church) went over this question in his message this week and it really caused me to think about my life, my goals and what my purpose is. Am I fulfilling what I want to be fulfilling or am I perhaps taking too much to heart what others want me to be fulfilling? Jesus teaches us to not be a prisoner to others’ expectations.
“The thing for me is to understand myself. To know what God really wants me to do. The thing for me is to find a truth that is true for me,
a truth that I am willing to die for.” Soren Kierkegaard
Are you or have you ever been in a place where you’ve asked yourself, how did you even get here? When one wrong decision leads to another, even if good intentions were somewhere in the midst? Or perhaps it’s not wrong decisions but rather fulfilling others’ hopes for you instead of your own. You are not alone. Be aware of this place and tell Jesus your desires.
But what if you are so deep into a dark place that you don’t even know what those are? The way of Jesus is an invitation to connect with what those desires are.
“If your kid asks you for bread, you’re not going to give him a rock. How much more do you think I want to hear your desires? I love to meet the desires of your heart. So ask, seek, knock.” Matthew 7:7-9
Whether you are a parent struggling with the daily chaos of life or in a place where life seems a bit darker, here is my challenge to you this week. Ask yourself the following:
- What are you looking for?
- What do you want?
- What are your REAL strengths? (This question is a great one for us parents who sometimes need to remember our value.)
- What is holding you back?
Capture your answers to these questions. Pray on them. Discover your real desires and allow Jesus to hear them. Start living out those desires, one step at a time.
Prayer for this week:
Heavenly Father, You have created us to live abundant lives, and to live with purpose. I pray that this week you allow us to see a glimpse of what could be. A glimpse of what you see in us. Give us hope for the future, and courage to follow the path that you want to lead us down. Amen.
